US-129 // The Dragon
Rent a sports car for the Dragon
Choose from our current US-129 cars, see your trip price and request a booking. Pick up in Maryville or arrange contactless TYS airport delivery.
Quick answer
Compare the current US-129 choices below, including each car’s actual transmission, seating and drivetrain. Open a vehicle, enter your trip dates and times, and see pricing before requesting your booking.
Key facts
- Road length
- 11 miles · 318 curves
- From TYS
- ~1 hr 25 min · 65 miles
- From Maryville
- ~55 min · 45 miles
- Best season
- April – October
- Speed limit
- 30 mph (strictly enforced)
- Current vehicles listed
- 8
- Pickup
- Maryville or TYS airport delivery
- Pricing
- Choose trip dates and times on a vehicle page
Best cars for this road
See full fleet →Compare prices for your dates
8 current options. Enter your trip times once, then choose a vehicle to check availability.
Earliest pickup: today at 2:30 PM ET.
Estimates include rental taxes. Optional extras and airport exit parking are separate. Your dates carry through to the vehicle page.
2020 Subaru BRZ Limited
4 seats · Manual · RWD
View vehicle & pricing →
2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium
2 seats · Automatic · RWD
View vehicle & pricing →
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF 30th Anniversary
2 seats · Manual · RWD · Convertible
View vehicle & pricing →
2022 Subaru WRX GT
5 seats · Automatic · AWD
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2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0
4 seats · Manual · RWD
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2021 Subaru WRX STI Base
5 seats · Manual · AWD
View vehicle & pricing →
2024 Nissan Z NISMO
2 seats · Automatic · RWD
View vehicle & pricing →
1994 Toyota MR2 GT-S
2 seats · Manual · RWD
View vehicle & pricing →Ready to request a trip? You'll create an account, verify your email and phone, and provide your driver's license, a selfie and insurance details before submitting. A request is reviewed before your booking is confirmed.
Need help with seating, luggage or pickup? Ask us before you book.
Plan time to enjoy US-129
Tail of the Dragon is a winding stretch of US-129 at the Tennessee–North Carolina border. Allow time to reach the road, stop safely and take breaks. A relaxed schedule is more useful than trying to fit in a fixed number of runs.
Check current road conditions before leaving. Keep within posted limits, stay in your lane and use designated pull-offs when stopping. Public-road driving is not a track session.
Choose a car you can drive comfortably
The current listings show which cars have a manual transmission and how many people they seat. Choose a gearbox you already know, and check luggage space if you are arriving by air.
Learn the car’s controls before entering the mountains. Leave more space in wet conditions, and change the plan if visibility or weather makes the route unsuitable.
Build a wider East Tennessee trip
A longer visit can include the Cherohala Skyway or Foothills Parkway. Plan each road as its own drive with time for stops rather than rushing between them.
Choose Maryville pickup or contactless delivery at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). Review the pickup instructions for your confirmed booking before traveling.
Drive times from our pickup points
| From | To | Minutes | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) | Deals Gap, NC | 85 | 65 |
| Maryville, TN | Deals Gap, NC | 55 | 45 |
| Downtown Knoxville | Deals Gap, NC | 90 | 70 |
| Gatlinburg, TN | Deals Gap, NC | 100 | 55 |
Frequently asked questions
Which cars are suitable for the Dragon?
These current vehicles are recommended for a drive on US-129. Compare their actual specifications and choose a car you can drive confidently.
Do I need to drive a manual?
Check the transmission shown on each current listing. Choose a manual only if you already drive one comfortably; a mountain road is not the place to learn.
How do I see pricing and request a booking?
Open a vehicle and select your trip start and end dates and times to see pricing. A listed vehicle is not a guarantee of availability for your dates. Continue from the vehicle page to submit a booking request.
Where do I collect the car?
Choose Maryville pickup or contactless delivery at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). Review the pickup instructions for your confirmed booking before traveling. Airport delivery has no separate delivery charge. Customer responsible for airport parking fee upon exit, typically no more than $13
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Tail of the Dragon etiquette
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TYS airport pickup
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Convertible category
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Current US-129 choices